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2/22/11

Remember Aaron and Eric Williams from the Vince Carter trade? Well the Toronto Raptors hope that James Johnson will not be compared to them in the future. Johnson will become part of the legacy of the post Bosh trade Raptors. While the Raptors liked Johnson in his draft year I did not share their love. He has not been able to find much time in his NBA Career with the Bulls who will play the Raptors tomorrow. Not sure if Johnson will suit up for that one but it would seem possible. The Raptors are much more excited about Johnson than me, so let's read what they had to say in the official press release:

The Toronto Raptors announced Tuesday they have acquired forward James Johnson from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for a 2011 first-round draft pick. The Raptors received the pick from the Miami Heat this past July (Bosh sign and trade).“James Johnson is a strong, athletic and versatile small forward that we have had our eye on dating back to the 2009 NBA Draft,” said Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo. Johnson, 6-foot-9, 245 pounds was a first-round selection by the Bulls (16th overall) in the 2009 NBA Draft. He has appeared in 78 games (with 11 starts), averaging 3.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 11.3 minutes. He posted a career-best 20 points in a career-high 43 minutes at Miami on March 12, 2010. Johnson saw action in eight games recently with the Iowa Energy in the NBA D-League. He averaged 19.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.5 blocks in 32.1 minutes. A product of Wake Forest, Johnson averaged 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 61 collegiate games with the Demon Deacons. He earned Freshman All-American honours and was runner-up for the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year in 2008. Johnson is expected to arrive in Toronto on Wednesday and will be available to the media prior to the game. Johnson will be in uniform for the Raptors only if all terms of the trade are completed prior to tip-off.

Johnson is a black belt in karate if he lays chops on Bargnani for not playing defence I will change my opinion of this trade. He is an over sized small forward and the Raptors would hold a team option to keep him on his rookie deal. Oh by the that Miami pick they traded away right now could land you Tristan Thompson who is ranked 29 on draft express currently if the Canadian Texas Freshman decides to enter the draft. I felt the need to mention that. This is a minor move at best but it is a good way to shuffle those deck chairs. I would assume although it is not spelled out this is the end of line for Trey Johnson to make room for the new Johnson. Rumours the Raptors have acquired Dwyane Johnson "The Rock" are 100% false.

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